Bundesliga Betting: Schalke to stop Bremen in their tracks

German Football / Kevin Hatchard / 11 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

Hugo Almeida has had a slightly inconsistent spell at Werder Bremen over the past couple of years but may be on the plane to South Africa representing Portugal.

"Schalke are third, level on points with Werder. Coach Felix Magath has fashioned a well-drilled unit, one that’s suffered just one defeat in nine league matches."

Kevin Hatchard on how Markus Babbel was let down by his own players and to an extent by the team's fans in the big story in the Bundesliga this week. Plus why Schalke can deny Werder Bremen three points in a battle of two genuine title contenders.

Mainz [2.94] vs Stuttgart [2.66], the draw [3.4]

If Markus Babbel watched Stuttgart's Champions League win over Unirea Urziceni in midweek, he must have seethed with frustration. The players that have let him down so badly this season rattled in three goals in the first 11 minutes against the Romanians to reach the last 16 of Europe's premier competition.

If those players had put in a similar display at home to Bochum last weekend, Babbel might still be their coach. As it turned out an abject performance saw Stuttgart held to a 1-1 draw, sparking a furious protest by fans. Sporting director Horst Heldt consulted the board, and with VfB stuck in the dropzone it was decided that Babbel should get the boot.

Christian Gross has replaced Babbel, and oversaw the Champions League win in midweek. The veteran coach became a figure of fun during an ill-fated spell at Tottenham, but his work with FC Basle in his native Switzerland deserves respect. He won four league titles and four Swiss cups in a decade at the helm.

I can't help feeling Stuttgart's Champions League win has papered over some huge cracks. Keeper Jens Lehmann has spoken out against Babbel's dismissal, accusing the club of weakly bowing to the fans' demands. Skipper Thomas Hitzlsperger has hinted at dressing room divisions, and a record of just two wins from 15 league matches illustrates the scale of the task facing Gross.

Sunday's trip to ninth-placed Mainz is a huge test. Thomas Tuchel's side has the joint-best home record in the league, with five wins and two draws. They've conceded just six goals at home, scoring thirteen. They also showed they can scrap in their last home game, as they scored a late equalizer to deny Hamburg a much-needed win.

RECOMMENDATION:

Mainz are very strong at home, so [2.94] to beat a Stuttgart side with just one away win is too big a price.

Back Mainz at [2.94]

Werder Bremen [1.89] vs Schalke [4.6], the draw [3.7]

With leaders Bayer Leverkusen still unbeaten and Bayern Munich finally getting their groove back, these two teams know defeat this Saturday would severely damage their title hopes.

Werder are second but have stuttered recently. Two weeks ago they needed a last-gasp Per Mertesacker equalizer to snatch a draw at home to Wolfsburg, and last time out their much-vaunted attack misfired in a goalless stalemate at FC Cologne. That was a poor result when you consider that Cologne had lost their last home game 4-0 to Hoffenheim.

Schalke are third, level on points with Werder. Coach Felix Magath has fashioned a well-drilled unit, one that's suffered just one defeat in nine league matches. That reverse was at Borussia Monchengladbach, and the 1-0 scoreline owed much to a stunning performance from Gladbach keeper Logan Bailly.

With 14 points from seven matches Schalke have one of the best away records in the Bundesliga, and they've performed well against their title rivals. They've secured battling draws against Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg, they are more than capable of achieving a similar result this weekend.

RECOMMENDATION:

I expect this to be an extremely even contest, so [1.89] is too short for a Werder win. Lay Werder .

Freiburg [2.28] vs FC Cologne [3.6], the draw [3.4]

This is an important match, with both sides hovering above the relegation zone. FC Cologne have had plenty of problems, with coach Zvonimir Soldo having to head off a dressing room mutiny. It appears Soldo has won the battle against his players, with chief dissident Milivoije Novakovic stripped of the captaincy. The armband has been given to Portuguese midfield veteran Petit, and Cologne have responded with solid goalless draws against Bochum and Werder Bremen.

Freiburg's progress has been hampered by terrible home form and a leaky defence. 32 goals have been conceded in 15 games, the worst record in the division. They have won one and lost five of their seven home matches, a complete contrast to their excellent away form which has delivered four wins out of eight.

RECOMMENDATION:

Freiburg are hopeless at home, while FC Cologne have lost just twice away. Back FC Cologne to win at a very attractive [3.6]